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The Essex multiplex covers the areas of Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea, a population coverage of over 1.5m...

Welcome to Essex
- Contact
- Now Digital
enqvb@nedvin.pbz
Digital Multiplex details
Multiplex licence name: | Essex |
On-air date: |
20 May 2002 |
Multiplex licensed until: | 19 May 2026 |
Estimate population covered1: | 1,500,379 |
Transmitter sites: | Bakers Wood, Benfleet, Braintree Grid E, Clacton, Colchester, Great Braxted, Harlow (Rye Hill), Maitland House (Southend), Manningtree, Sudbury, Westley Heights |
Digital share of listening2: | 42.7% |
DAB digital radio in home2: | 56.0% |
1 Figure derived from: Ofcom indoor coverage 80% locations normal propagation, estimated households covered multiplied by 2.3 people per average UK household to derive a population figure
2 Source: Ofcom - The Communications Market: Digital Radio Report, November 2016, Annex 1
DAB radio transmitter coverage
Essex multiplex coverage map - this map shows our prediction of coverage on an indoor portable DAB receiver for the Essex multiplex.
Coverage is measured by spectrum planners in several different ways. A range of factors will affect reception including the transmitter power & antenna, local geography, the sensitivity of the listener’s radio, the type of home (bungalow, basement flat, steel framed building) and even weather conditions. This complexity is reflected in coverage models and maps. One map doesn’t tell the whole story. This Ofcom document includes several maps for this multiplex and explains why different parameters have been used.
These transmitters form a network, with all services on the multiplex broadcast to the entire coverage area; for technical reasons it is not possible to broadcast to just one part of the area or from one specific transmitter.
Audio services
Now Digital currently broadcasts the following audio services:
Station | Format | Other details |
Heart Essex | Contemporary | Existing local station |
Smooth Radio | Easy listening | Digital only |
Gold | Classic hits | Digital only |
Capital FM | Contemporary | Digital only |
Radio Essex | Contemporary | Digital only |
BBC Essex | Local interest | Existing local station |
Hits Radio | Contemporary | Digital only |
Greatest Hits Radio | Contemporary | Digital only |
Street Sounds | Contemporary | Digital only |
There is currently capacity available on this multiplex for at least one further mono or stereo audio service.
National BBC and commercial DAB digital radio services may also be received in the area. For further details, see more information page. Or use the Postcode Checker to see which stations should be available.
Data services
There is also an Electronic Programme Guide broadcast on this multiplex.
For further details, see our more information page.